Lake Ronkonkoma residents concerned about cell tower

Residents in Lake Ronkonkoma say a cellphone tower being built in their community could affect their health and property values.

T-Mobile has already constructed a base for the new tower on a LIPA right-of-way in Lake Ronkonkoma.

Darrin Pfaff says he is worried about the well-being of his 10-year-old son and the other kids in the community.

"Now you're adding to a problem by putting in this radiation," said Pfaff.

T-Mobile says the new tower will be replacing an older one and that the new tower will benefit the community. A spokesperson told News 12, "Our customers have told us they want fast speeds where they live, work and play. And for emergencies that Ronkonkoma residents experience, this cell site can mean a vital link to 911 service, even if they are not a T-Mobile customer.?"

The company also sent experts to an informational meeting at Brookhaven Town Hall Wednesday in an effort to quell residents' fears regarding the tower. Many in the crowd were not convinced.

"You have a multimillion-dollar company come into our community and destroy it, and have no regard for our safety, our children or our home values," said Jamie Mare, of Lake Ronkonkoma.

Those in attendance brought up other locations for the cellphone tower within Lake Ronkonkoma. T-Mobile said it took that information down.